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Welcome to the Culture SyndicatesDuring an informal discussion between a group of museum professionals in 2010 the general theme was how to make limited resources go further under the increased budgetary pressures we were facing. In a feedback session that same year between students and staff at Nottingham Trent University’s MA in Museum and Heritage Management, the students expressed their concern over the job market and their ability to use their new skills and develop their chosen career. Being present at both meetings as a professional practitioner and university lecturer I felt something needed to be done to support both the sector and the students. I took inspiration from Tim Desmond’s Education Syndicates idea (his philosophy is outlined under the Learning tab) and created Culture Syndicates. “Doing More With Less” Museums are trying to balance budget cuts, the increased use of volunteers and changing funding structures. What Culture Syndicates offers is a pool of trained individuals to help with projects. They are backed by NTU’s reputation for producing very practically orientated and skilled graduates. A team can be quickly applied to a problem (visitor study, accession backlog etc.) at low cost. We are particularly keen to support the smaller independent museums and new trusts that are being created. Culture Syndicates graduates can help apply for funding, put together project plans and train volunteers to take these tasks on in the future. There is further scope for us to support established consultants and consultancies to undertake support work. “Building Employability Evidence” What do the graduates get out of this? Evidence suggests it is taking longer and longer to find the first job upon graduation. There is a real danger that a whole generation of graduates will be lost to the sector unless they can be engaged in museum work until that first job comes along. By joining the Culture Syndicates a graduate can enhance their CV, build their networks and hone their project management skills until their first job comes along, and in a very competitive job market they should be an attractive proposition to a potential employer. I should emphasise that we will not work for free. There must be some consideration for their work however small that might be. There is no fixed charge as the aim is not to make money, we are here to help if we can and make your limited resources go much further. Neville Stankley, Director 2011 |
 Neville Stankley Director of Culture Syndicates |
    © 2011 Culture Syndicates. All Rights Reserved. |
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